Real Bad Things, Kelly J. Ford
Real Bad Things, Kelly J. Ford
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Real Bad Things

Author: Kelly J. Ford

Narrator: Donna Postel

Unabridged: 11 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/01/2022

Synopsis

From the author of Cottonmouths, a Los Angeles Review Best Book of 2017, comes an evocative suspense about the cost of keeping secrets and the dangers of coming home.Beneath the roiling waters of the Arkansas River lie dead men and buried secrets.When Jane Mooney’s violent stepfather, Warren, disappeared, most folks in Maud Bottoms, Arkansas, assumed he got drunk and drowned. After all, the river had claimed its share over the years.When Jane confessed to his murder, she should have gone to jail. That’s what she wanted. But without a body, the police didn’t charge her with the crime. So Jane left for Boston—and took her secrets with her.Twenty-five years later, the river floods and a body surfaces. Talk of Warren’s murder grips the town. Now in her forties, Jane returns to Maud Bottoms to reckon with her past: to do jail time, to face her revenge-bent mother, to make things right.But though Jane’s homecoming may enlighten some, it could threaten others. Because in this desolate river valley, some secrets are better left undisturbed.

About Kelly J. Ford

Kelly J. Ford is the author of the award-winning Cottonmouths, a novel of “impressive depths of character and setting” according to the Los Angeles Review, which named it one of their Best Books of 2017.An Arkansas native, Kelly writes about the power and pitfalls of friendship, the danger of long-held secrets, and the transcendent grittiness of the Ozarks and their surrounds.She lives in Vermont with her wife and cat.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kyra

Ooooohh boy did this book keep me guessing. I read some critiques that the ending was too predictable, which I don't disagree, what happened in the end was one of my speculations. Key word there is one. I'm perfectly okay with a book having a predictable outcome when the writer does such a good job......more

Goodreads review by Dona

“Please.” Jane cracked the door but didn’t step outside. She wanted out, but more than that, she wanted to inflict pain. “You only ever loved yourself.”p224 And this is true for every character in REAL BAD THINGS by Kelly J. Ford. I waited a long time to review this book for a couple reasons. The first......more

Goodreads review by Chantel

It is important to note that the majority of the themes explored in this book deal with sensitive subject matters. My review, therefore, touches on these topics as well. Many people might find the subject matters of the book & those detailed in my review overwhelming. I would suggest you steer clear......more

Goodreads review by Laurie

I chose Real Bad Things as my first read for August. I am going to the odd person out on this one - I found it to be tedious and extraordinarily dull. I skim read a great deal just to get to the end of the novel and find out "who-dun-it" as there were several options. Good character development but I......more

Quotes

“Narrator Donna Postel gives an anxious, emotive performance of the dual narrative. The varied extent of her Arkansas accent may seem inconsistent, but this exemplifies Jane’s efforts to escape her past. This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an intense, intricate suspense built on oppressive mistrust and misguided obligation. Recommended for fans of Lisa Jewell, Katie Sise, and Janelle Brown.” —Library Journal“At the start of this gripping suspense novel from Ford (Cottonmouths), Jane Mooney, who’s been living in Boston, returns home to Maud Bottoms, Ark.…The truth slowly unfolds as the plot builds toward a surprising conclusion foreshadowed by a trail of skillfully disguised clues. Ford delivers the goods.” —Publishers Weekly“With layers of storytelling portraying generational trauma, small towns and the unbearable confines their scrutiny can place on anyone who feels different, and the unbreakable bonds that adversity can forge, Real Bad Things is sometimes a hard read, but always an excellent one. Readers looking for slow burn mystery with unforgettable characters and an unforgettable atmosphere will find here exactly what they need.” —Mystery and Suspense Magazine

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